News items from July 2013
Young carers from Leicestershire attend Nottingham University’s Young Carers Open Day
Four of our young carers attended the first Open Day aimed specifically at young adult carers at Nottingham University on 27th June 2013, accompanied by Young Carers Project Worker Hannah Currington and Service Manager Pat Wilkins.
The brainchild of Professor Saul Becker of the School of Sociology and Social Policy, who was himself a young carer and has spent his academic career researching the issues they face, the Open Day gave 120 young carers from across the country the opportunity to see what university life is like.
After an introductory talk from various University staff and a (literally) explosive session called “Chemistry Live!”, the young carers were free to choose from a plethora of mini-lectures ranging from social work to philosophy, neuroscience to economics, as well as non-academic taster sessions such as archery, trampolining and Art in the Park. Of particular note was Inflativerse, an inflatable planetarium with an astronomy talk given by students. There was also a campus tour and an incredibly valuable talk on Higher Education finance.
We were well nourished throughout with a welcome breakfast (very welcome after setting off at 7.30am!) and complimentary lunch and snack vouchers.
Feedback from the young carers who attended was overwhelmingly positive and it was an excellent, useful and inspirational day.
Professor Becker is conducting a survey into young adult carers (14-25) and the barriers they can face in accessing higher education. This is available at www.YACsurvey.com
Do you care for someone with schizophrenia?
The UK research organisation, PatientView, is asking carers and families to take part in a survey it's carrying out on behalf of the Swiss pharmaceutical company, F. Hoffmann-La Roche.
The survey aims to identify some of the challenges faced by people affected by schizophrenia, particularly the challenge of being 'socially included' in society, so that healthcare policy can be improved in the future.
Everyone who takes part will be completely anonymous and you won't be asked for your personal details. However, if you'd like to see the results, you can choose to leave your email address at the end of the survey.
If you'd like to share your views, please compete the survey by Monday 19th August.
Click here to complete the survey online
Free courses for carers
We're running a range of FREE courses for carers around Leicestershire until December.
Simply take a look at the course descriptions below and if there's something you fancy joining in with, please call Darrell Imbert on 0845 689 9510 or email [email protected]
Click here for a diary of course dates and locations
Basic First Aid Training for Carers
A one day course run by the British Red Cross (lasting 2 hours) which tackles issues such as: Bleeds, Burns, Scalds, Choking, Heart Attack and Strokes.
Computers (IT) Training
A four week course consisting of:
Week 1 - Knowing your Computer
Week 2 - Emails
Week 3 - Searching the Internet
Week 4 - SKYPE
Knowing More about your Computer
A two week course designed to build on your knowledge.
Yoga
A four week course designed for beginners. A very gentle form of yoga which will help improve your strength, balance and flexibility.
Safer Handling and Lifting
A one day course (lasting 2 hours) providing information on how to protect your back when lifting and how to do safe seat to seat transfers etc.
Complementary Therapy
A one day course (lasting 2 hours) providing simple relaxation techniques such as head, hand and foot massage plus self-relaxation methods.
Mindfulness
A course designed to help carers:
Feel less anxious
Become more emotionally resilient
Improve self-awareness
Improve health and well-being
Live more in the present moment
Arts & Crafts
A great opportunity to get some ideas for the fast approaching Christmas season!
Timebanking - put an hour in, get an hour out
A new project is being launched in Coalville, Lutterworth and surrounding areas, aimed at all members of the community.
The Timebank is a modern day bartering system that can help you get jobs done without money. They work by people offering their skills in return for time credits, which they can spend when they need help with something.
For example, mow somebody's lawn and in return you could get your ironing done. You could offer to meet someone for a cup of coffee and a chat and in return have someone teach you how to play guitar. For every hour that you put in you receive one time credit (one hour = one credit) that you then spend on getting things done for yourself. The skill or asset that you offer to other people can literally be anything.
The transactions are arranged by the Time broker who keeps a record of all the transactions, much like a bank account. The Time broker also meets with every member to explain the project and asks them ‘what can you offer? And what do you want?’ Offers and Wants are then put on a website www.timebankleicestershire.co.uk for people to see and respond to.
To join or for more info contact Lynne Brydon-Graham on 0116 305 7558 or email [email protected] or [email protected]
What’s it like volunteering with us?
We couldn't run our Support for Carers project without the help of our wonderful volunteers. Below, you can read what two of our office volunteers, Tracy and Alison, like about volunteering with us.
"I absolutely LOVE being a volunteer at VASL, all the members of staff are fantastic. The work that Support for Carers and Social Transport do at VASL is vital to the Leicestershire area and it's great being part of the team. I look forward to my Friday’s every week. Thank you VASL for letting me be part of the team!"
Tracy
"I used to work for VASL's Social Transport project but left last year to study full time. Once my studies had finished I realised how much I missed working in the voluntary sector and especially missed the caring environment as well as the staff and other volunteers. I decided to volunteer one day per week to help in the Support for Carers office. This area of VASL is very close to my heart as my Mum was terminally ill last year and my sister gave up her job to care for her in the last few months of her life. I saw first-hand the impact caring had upon my sister and her commitment and realised how important supporting carers was. Since volunteering in the Support for Carers office I have really enjoyed not only working with a great bunch of people but also the contact I have with various carers around Leicestershire, which makes me feel like I am doing a worthwhile job."
Alison
If you'd like to find out more about volunteering with us, please feel free to give us a call on 0845 689 9510 (calls charged at local rates) or email [email protected]
